It’s tax time again, and that means it’s the right time to invest in a Fellowes shredder for your business. Why is it so important to shred documents during tax time? The answer lies in a few unpleasant statistics.

Identity Theft costs businesses an estimated $50 billion annually. Additionally, Identity Theft affects millions of Americans each year – every 3 seconds there is a new victim. Also, dumpster diving for paper documents, certain types of electronic devices, and a lack of formal security policies within businesses present criminals with the right opportunity to steal your information.

Use the Checklist Below to Reduce Your Risk Factor this Tax Season:

Telephone / Cell Phone / PDA Phone : Conversations can be overheard or a device can be stolen.

Never give sensitive information over the phone

Do not give information to people you don’t know

Keep devices in locked drawers when not in use

Do not store important files on handheld devices

Computer / Laptop : Pop-ups, viruses, and spyware can be used to steal information, and laptops/flash drives can be stolen.

Shredding documents you no longer need – especially tax documents – helps keep confidential information out of the wrong hands. The Fellowes Powershred line offers a shredder for just about every type of security need. Here is a list of special features to look for before making your shredder purchase:

Most shredders can handle staples and paper clips, but confidential information isn’t only kept on paper. Fellowes® shredders also shred credit cards, disks, and CDs.

For shared workspaces, choose a quieter shredder. The new Fellowes MicroShred with SilentShredª feature offers whisper-quiet operation for your peace of mind.

If you need a higher level of security, consider upgrading from a strip cut to a confetti cut shredder. The Fellowes® Microshredª cut provides a much higher level of security by cutting paper into pieces smaller than the length of a staple – it’s virtually impossible for a criminal to reassemble and read a shredded document!

For safety concerns, recommend a shredder with built-in safety features like patent pending SafeSenseª technology from Fellowes®. It’s a built-in smart sensor that instantly halts shredder operation when hands are too close to the paper entry.

0 Responses to Identity Theft : Protect Your Identity This Tax Season

I agree that a shredder is important in protecting your identity. I’ve had my Identity stolen and It is not easy to prove (and the burden of proof rest with you)that you did not open vast credit card accounts and run up thousands of dollars in bills.
In addition my wife could not get her drivers license because someone (a man in Georgia, where we have never been) got tickets with her social security number, and name ,on his license.
If this happens to you (ID theft) report it to the United States Secret Service. they have authority to investigate
and though they may (or may not) catch the thief, it will at least be reported.
this does help in convincing creditors of your motives in reporting ID theft to them.
Tommy

Thanks, Tommy, for the valuable tip; I am sorry for your misfortune. Identity theft seems to be such a common problem – I think every one of us knows someone who has experienced it in some way, shape or form. Hopefully more & more people will use paper shredders as a way to help protect them against this crime.

yea also be careful when eating out at restaurants… my uncle had a bunch of credit card bills that he had no idea about, and eventually he found out that supposedly one of the waiters had written down his number and used it for transactions :/
-12ich